[AtlasM]

I recently bought my 2011 E92 335xi 6MT. I'm looking to have walnut blasting done and put a catch can on before I start tuning it. Called Zimbrick BMW here in Madison, they acted like this was not something they do on a regular basis and quoted me $2500.



Needless to say, I am looking for other options. I called Kelly-Moss Motorsports and they said that's not something they do in house but they'd check around a little and get back to me.

Anyone else know of any places that would perform the walnut blasting service, ideally here in Madison but if not then at least somewhere relatively close?

[trohde78]

That's insane! They could just install a brand new head for $2,500. haha!

[trohde78]

I'd ask these guys: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=blasting

[bmwmike89]

I know a few placed in IL not far from Madison. Pricing around $350

[bloppitybloop]

Would be interested as well. Never found anyone in Madison from my post that was linked up above.

[Give_Em_The_DD]

If you are interested in driving to IL, Performance Solutions in Schaumburg can take care of this for you, and can work to accommodate your schedule/time restraints.

[AtlasM]

So far we've got, from this thread and the one linked above, 3 possible places in Illinois:

Performance Solutions - Schaumburg, IL
A&L Auto Body - Palatine, IL
German Auto Werks - Lake in the Hills, IL

All of which are 2+ hours away from me. Not that I wouldn't make the trip but hoping to find somewhere closer.

Also I found this thread where the guy is in Fond du Lac and does it out of his house:

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27136

I have an independent mechanic here in Madison I'm working with on getting my suspension install done (would've already been done except for an issue with back-ordered UUC sway bars but that's another story entirely) and I'm going to ask them if they by any chance do it or know of someone.

[trohde78]

Originally Posted by AtlasM

So far we've got, from this thread and the one linked above, 3 possible places in Illinois:

Performance Solutions - Schaumburg, IL
A&L Auto Body - Palatine, IL
German Auto Werks - Lake in the Hills, IL

All of which are 2+ hours away from me. Not that I wouldn't make the trip but hoping to find somewhere closer.

Also I found this thread where the guy is in Fond du Lac and does it out of his house:

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27136

I have an independent mechanic here in Madison I'm working with on getting my suspension install done (would've already been done except for an issue with back-ordered UUC sway bars but that's another story entirely) and I'm going to ask them if they by any chance do it or know of someone.

PM Sent

[AtlasM]

I spoke to my indy mechanic and while he's aware of walnut blasting, it's not something he's done before and didn't want to take it on himself.

I did some calling around and got referred to Dunn's Import here in Madison who does a lot of walnut blasting on VWs and Audis. They quoted me $785 which is at least not $2500 but also on the higher side of what I'm seeing at other places outside Madison.

One other thing Dunn's Import proposed is they have some kind of solvent they pump into a port on the intake manifold to clean things out and they claim to get good results on the VWs and Audis from doing this. They said they check with a boroscope first to see how bad the carbon deposits are on the intake ports and then confirm afterwards that the deposits have been properly cleaned. This would only be about $150.

Honestly, I'm considering this option since it's here in Madison, and I'm more looking at doing this as a proactive step and then adding a catch can to the car before raising the boost. Especially since the N55 supposedly has less issues with carbon buildup than the N54, and I've only got 44k miles on my car.

[trohde78]

I would still say that $800 is crazy for this service. Many shops around Chicago do it for $400 or less, and individuals for under $300. While not ideal, I would certainly drive 2 hours each way to save $400+.

Oh, the chemical cleaning is $150. That might be an option then.

[Darkcyd_Turbo]

Which service advisor did you talk to at Zimbrick? I know nearly everyone there and they know me and my car. I have a feeling based on your quote, I know who you talked to but don't want to jump to conclusions. Also did you ask for "walnut blasting" or asked for the cost on getting your "intake valves cleaned?" If I'm right about who you talked to, call back and I'll tell you who to ask for. I had a friend get his done last year and it definitely didn't cost $2500 lmao!

[AtlasM]

I just called the main number and talked to some guy who wasn't a service advisor, who then went and asked a service advisor, and came back to me with that $2500 number. It's certainly possible that he didn't properly describe exactly what I wanted and got an estimate for something more involving taking the head off the motor. I had a couple other questions, got sick of playing that game of telephone, and asked to speak directly with an advisor, but that conversation was more about those other questions, and I didn't think to bring the walnut blasting back up with him.

Now that I think about it, I had an issue a while back where I was communicating mostly over emails with one of the advisors there, so I think I'll email him a couple links to show exactly what I mean by walnut blasting.

[Darkcyd_Turbo]

Call back and either ask for Matt, Mike, or Adam. All of whom know their shit and will be better at assisting you with legitimate quotes.

[Darkcyd_Turbo]

Another route you could go if you are a motivated DIY'er is just buy the blaster, attachment, and walnuts and do it yourself if you already have an air compressor. Probably will run you less than what you'll pay to get it done and you'll have it for next time.

[AtlasM]

I don't have an air compressor. Let's just say storage space in my garage is at a premium and I try to avoid filling up the available space with too much car crap in order to keep my fiancee happy.

She tolerates my winter wheels stacked up in the corner along with jack, stands, and assorted tools including an electric impact wrench, but a compressor and all that stuff would be a bit overboard.

I emailed Mike at Zimbrick as I've talked with him in the past, we'll see what kind of number he gives.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Give_Em_The_DD

If you are interested in driving to IL, Performance Solutions in Schaumburg can take care of this for you, and can work to accommodate your schedule/time restraints.

If Brad is working I would not go there even if they do it for free out of principle.

Originally Posted by trohde78

I would still say that $800 is crazy for this service. Many shops around Chicago do it for $400 or less, and individuals for under $300. While not ideal, I would certainly drive 2 hours each way to save $400+.

Oh, the chemical cleaning is $150. That might be an option then.

Shops do it for $300. Zima and N5x Morotrsports are in that range.

[GATORB8]

Originally Posted by AtlasM

One other thing Dunn's Import proposed is they have some kind of solvent they pump into a port on the intake manifold to clean things out and they claim to get good results on the VWs and Audis from doing this. They said they check with a boroscope first to see how bad the carbon deposits are on the intake ports and then confirm afterwards that the deposits have been properly cleaned. This would only be about $150.

I can't imagine the chemical actually working, especially not without removing the intake manifold. Intake cleaner was useless even directly applied to the carbon in the open ports when i was blasting mine. We're talking 1/8"+ of caked on tar. Even if you could move it through the motor, I wouldn't want it in the cylinders or in the cats.

[Give_Em_The_DD]

Originally Posted by feuer

If Brad is working I would not go there even if they do it for free out of principle.

Shops do it for $300. Zima and N5x Morotrsports are in that range.

Brad is not working at Performance Solutions. He was associated with A-Spec (which is no more, and has 0 affiliation with Performance Solutions)

Rich- is the main tech on staff

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Give_Em_The_DD

Brad is not working at Performance Solutions. He was associated with A-Spec (which is no more, and has 0 affiliation with Performance Solutions)

Rich- is the main tech on staff

If that is true is OK but is not what I have heard from people going there.

[Give_Em_The_DD]

Originally Posted by feuer

If that is true is OK but is not what I have heard from people going there.

I'm there on a regular basis.

So I am not sure who is giving you bad information. Brad hasn't been around for over 11 months, the last car he worked on was actually my car.

So I can with 100% confidence stand behind my prior statement.

-D

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Give_Em_The_DD

I'm there on a regular basis.

So I am not sure who is giving you bad information. Brad hasn't been around for over 11 months, the last car he worked on was actually my car.

So I can with 100% confidence stand behind my prior statement.

-D

I had repetitive negative experience with A-Spec for both my vehicles and was told that Brad stayed after Shawn left so I stopped going there.
Now I use VT in the city, Edgebrook. They do walnut blasting.

[Give_Em_The_DD]

Originally Posted by feuer

I had repetitive negative experience with A-Spec for both my vehicles and was told that Brad stayed after Shawn left so I stopped going there.
Now I use VT in the city, Edgebrook. They do walnut blasting.

Yeah... To be honest, I haven't seen brad since probably last October...

May want to give Performance Solutions another shot, Rich is the new lead tech and does fantastic work. His attention to detail is what has really impressed me the most.

Ryan (new owner) has been great to work with as well.